The mystique of bluebell flowers, found across the globe from Atlantic Europe to North America, is steeped in tales of folklore. Their exquisite beauty and toxic properties have likely sparked the creation of fantastical stories and cautionary tales that surround these captivating blooms. Bluebells are known for their delicate, fresh scent that gently stirs the senses. Their alluring perfume can travel a distance, saturating the air with its enchanting fragrance. This fragrance is said to lure people into the forest, a mystery that has fascinated many.
Bluebells are known by a multitude of names, each reflecting a unique cultural or linguistic perspective. Some of these names include: British Bluebell, English harebell, cuckoo's boots, wild hyacinth, granfer griggles, witches' thimbles, lady's nightcap, fairy flower, Dead Man's bells, and cra'tae (crow's toes). The moniker 'cuckoo's boots' is likely about the Bluebell's blooming season coinciding with the first cuckoo calls of the year (between April and late May). Interestingly, even Bluebell's Latin name is about a myth.
According to legend, Apollo fell in love with an athletic youth named Hyacinthus but unfortunately killed him while playing with a golden disc. Out of Hyacinthus' blood, a flower grew and had the letters AI imprinted because of Apollo's cries of grief (ai, ai! or alas!). So, when the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus was naming this flower, he saw no signs of any letter and called it 'Hyacinthoides non-scripta' or 'Hyacinth no letters.' Imagine finding a flower and naming it 'not the one I was looking for.' In Scotland, locals refer to bluebells as harebells because people believed witches would shift into hares and hide in bluebell fields.
These enchanting bell-shaped flowers, often discovered in ancient woodlands, are revered as indicators of the environment's age. The Bluebell flower is a symbol of ancient woodland, signifying that where Bluebells thrive, it is likely that the woodland is ancient, undisturbed, and has stood for centuries. Some Bluebell woods are known to be as old as 1600 years. It's no wonder that bluebells are said to beckon people into the woods. Have you ever ventured into a vast forest? The deeper you venture, the more likely you are to become disoriented and lost. Many of these stories likely originated from cautionary tales.
Walking through a Bluebell forest is considered good luck. However, there are a few rules of etiquette that you must follow. Firstly, stick to the path. Not only is it important to avoid getting lost in the woods, but you also want to avoid accidentally stepping on the Bluebells. The bells are very important to fairies. According to folklore, the fae hang their spells on the flowers, disturbing their magical workings angers them. So, do not pick or crush any Bluebells. If you wish to learn the truth from someone, have them wear a garland of Bluebells around their neck. According to the lore, this prevents a person from speaking a lie. Bluebells planted by your front door should be good luck because if someone unwanted comes, they'll ring to warn you.
But hearing a Bluebell in the forest can lead to disastrous consequences. This leads us to the name 'Dead Man's Bells'. Not all stories of the fae are about love and light. In modern times, we tend to wash our children's stories to make them easier and less frightening. In the olden days, the goal was to scare the children so badly that they never stepped out of line. Death was a real threat in one's everyday life. So, telling stories to children about the big bad wolf, Baba Yaga, goblins, and evil fae that lived in the woods was very important. The bells are said to ring (much like a town hall) to call the fairies to their balls and other important gatherings. These bells are normally only heard by fairy ears, but if a human should ever hear them, it's a bad omen. According to lore, if a person hears a bluebell ring, an evil fae will visit them, and they will pass away soon (similar to the banshee cries). This connection to death and the afterlife can be seen in other traditions. Ancient Celtic warriors would wear bluebells in their helmets to connect to the spirit world. These little flowers were also associated with Hecate, the goddess of magic and the crossroads.
Most cautionary tales hold a kernel of truth. Besides the risk of annoying the fairies and getting lost in the woods, another compelling reason to refrain from picking them is that bluebells are poisonous. Since the plant is toxic, it would be wise to heed the warnings against picking Bluebells. The bulbs can be easily mistaken for wild garlic, so the warning that you might never leave if you ate anything within the wood might also be worth considering. This fact might account for the many old stories warning people away from Bluebells and mushroom rings. It's quite difficult to return home if you're poisoned in the woods. There's another deterrent in modern times: Bluebells are a protected species, and picking them is against the law in many countries. This underscores the importance of respecting and conserving these beautiful flowers.
So if you ever find yourself in an ancient grove of trees and happen upon some bluebells remember, stick to the path, don't touch the Bluebells, don't eat them, and have some iron handy to protect yourself. As we discussed last week, the fae hate iron and that might help you arrive safely back home. As we encounter these enchanting blooms, let us tread lightly, respecting their significance and protecting their fragile existence. In doing so, we honor the rich tapestry of folklore and the importance of conservation and stewardship in preserving the magic of the natural world for generations to come.
Sources:
Evans, Heather. "Everything You Need to Know about Bluebell Flowers." Nimvo, 30 Dec. 2021, nimvo.com/bluebell-flowers/.
Merva, Vladka. "Bluebell Flower Meaning and Symbolism in the Language of Flowers." SimplyBeyondHerbs, 11 Oct. 2023, simplybeyondherbs.com/bluebell-flower-meaning/.
Milne, Richard. "Plant of the Week – 10th May 2021 -Bluebell (Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta)." Botany in Scotland, 9 May 2021, botsocscot.wordpress.com/2021/05/09/plant-of-the-week-10th-may-2021-bluebell-hyacinthoides-non-scripta/.
P, Rebekah. "Bluebell Flower Meaning and Symbolism." Florgeous, 19 July 2020, florgeous.com/bluebell-flower-meaning/.
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